Feb 12, 2004 06:48 am the 58 has a wind screen thingy on it, so it'd be better suited for vocals.
if you've got a mixer or preamp with phantom power you know you can get a decent condenser for about the same price as that sm58?
Shure Mic - 57 or 58??
Posted on Feb 12, 2004 06:43 am
cocofromscotland
Hello!
Member Since: Jan 12, 2004
Hi Guys
Here's a wee burning question I have as I am (hopefully) coming into a few quid next month:
Which mic should I get as an out and out vocal mic? I am thinking a Shure SM57 or SM58 but I dunno which one is better for vox.
I will be using this for ALL my vocals and no other mics I have will be used from then on. I dont have any condenser mics - just cheap dynamic mics - but I have about £80-£100 to spend ($160 roughly).
The better the mic I am thinking, maybes improve my vocals ;-) .... !
Cheers guys...
Coco.
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Feb 12, 2004 06:48 am the 58 has a wind screen thingy on it, so it'd be better suited for vocals.
if you've got a mixer or preamp with phantom power you know you can get a decent condenser for about the same price as that sm58?
Feb 12, 2004 09:15 am The 58 is definitely better suited to vocals...not only because of the wind screen, but there is a slight EQ boost somewhere in the midrange and a rolloff below 80 Hz or so. BUT, I don't really think that the 58 is very well suited for studio work...it's more for live sound application (and it's excellent for live sound, at that).
But like Jamie said, you could find a much better studio mic for the same price, like from MXL or something.
Feb 12, 2004 03:08 pm I would definitely go for a condensor mic for studio vocals. But for me, the condensor mic has been a double edged sword. Sure the sound quality is much better, but all that does is show the inconsitencies in my singing much better. Arg. I now have to do 3 or 4 times as many takes because I can't hide behind the low quality mics.
If you are stuck on the SM57 or SM58, I would go with the SM58, but SM57s sound really good on male voices as well. You get more of a full low end on the SM57.
Feb 12, 2004 03:56 pm [stuck record] Get a Rode NT-1 for just over £100. [/stuck record]
Feb 12, 2004 05:16 pm Thanks folks!
I'd considered the condenser mics too but alas, as Coolo pointed out, it may highlight my singing "too" much! hehee :-)
I'll check out the Rode NT-1 too tho as an option and thanks for all your input so far! I plan on getting the new mic very soon so I'll think a bit longer (til I get the cash :-) and let y'all know what I get..!
Cheers guys. As ever - a wealth of handy info you guys are!
Ta.
Coco.
Feb 13, 2004 04:16 am I'd either go with a good condensor (which are a plenty now) mic, or the SM57, because I've heard the 57 sounds good on male vocals, plus it doubles as industry standard for micing guitar cabs... Right now for Vox I am using two relativly cheap mics, a MXL condensor and Senheiser Dynamic
Feb 13, 2004 07:00 pm Yeah SM57 is great for percussion as I use it on my pair of tabla's as well as vocals. SM 58 is actually the one that you wanna use if your doing vocals "live" however its up to you and your voice ;)
Memo to all who think their voice aren't good > grab a phat *** vocoder :P - Its helped people greatly like J.Lo, Britany lol...
Feb 13, 2004 08:13 pm Well, I'm not a good singer (at least not alone), but I find that my GT66 makes my voice a bit more bearable than a dynamic microphone, even if it is clearer. It's kind of like the difference between singing into a cheap kid's tape recorder and recording your voice in a pro studio... except not nearly that big of a difference :) But I sound like a little kid singing into a dynamic microphone more than singing into a condenser. Then again, it all depends on your voice, really.
Feb 15, 2004 09:41 pm Indeed, I too vote for the condenser as well. Yes it does bring out your vox much better, but in the end it will also help you find the right way to control your voice. You can always find a way to get the vox right as coolo dies by doing mutliple takes. So dotn buy a dynamic for fear of having a differant voice.
Feb 16, 2004 01:48 am i was actually surprised at how well I sounded on a condenser. Which reminds me, Noize, if you still want to hear that cover of flames All Gone i did when I was testing out the mk-319, IM me at my new AIM name (see profile)
Feb 16, 2004 10:37 pm If you are stuck on the 57 or 58 according to Shure the SM58 is the vocal mic. They both are electricaly identical except for how far back the diaphram fits in the head. The SM57 has it's diaphram further back than the SM58. This makes the SM57 less suseptable to the proximity effect. It is the proximity effect that vocalists utilize to control the amount of bass or bottom end in their projection, so the SM58 is more suitable. Although some like the SM57. That also explains the above preference of SM57 for male vocalists who have a good amount of bottom end naturally.
Feb 17, 2004 12:08 am Simple answer: 57 is unidirectional, 58 is omnidirectional. Omnidirectional = better for vocals (twits never stay still). Unidirectional = better for fixed placement (such as cab micing).
W.
Feb 17, 2004 08:42 am According to Shure's website, both the SM57 and SM58 are unidirectional, cardoid microphones.
SM58:
Quote:
The Shure SM58® is a unidirectional (cardioid) dynamic vocal microphone designed for professional vocal use in live performance, sound reinforcement, and studio recording. A highly effective, built-in, spherical filter minimizes wind and breath "pop" noise. A cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source while minimizing unwanted background noise. The SM58 has a tailored vocal response for a sound which is a world standard.
SM57:
Quote:
The Shure SM57 unidirectional dynamic microphone is exceptional for musical instrument pickup or for vocals. With its bright, clean sound and carefully contoured presence rise, the SM57 is ideal for live sound reinforcement and recording. It has an extremely effective cardioid pickup pattern which isolates the main sound source while minimizing background noise.
Feb 17, 2004 01:45 pm The 57 and 58 are the same mic with different wind-screens. I believe you can get closer to the 57's capsule than the 58. Unscrew the ball off of the 58 and you will basically be looking at a 57. For live work I'd go with the 58 but for studio I'd buy the 57 and use a wind screen.
Blessings, Terry
Feb 17, 2004 02:54 pm How very interesting, somethings changed since I bought mine, box says distinctly, omni.... (Of course, that was a long time ago)
Anyways, even the shure site recommends the 58 for vocals, the 57 isn't even listed under the vocals section.
W.
Feb 17, 2004 07:10 pm Under the further description it does say that the 57 is good for vocals, but, yeah, I would say the 58 is better for vocals. They seem to suggest that.
Feb 18, 2004 07:10 pm Jamie, I will try to get on AIM tommorrow night (Thursday) and get that tune from ya.
And I agree with the 58 being the better vocal mic, but soem do seem steadfast in their conviction of using the 57 for that purpose as well.
Feb 19, 2004 06:34 am So..when my chq arrives next week (Some spare bucks for me - most for the wife!) ...
Off I twaddle doon the music shop to buy a Shure SM58!! Thanks guys...
Much appreciated!!
Cheers
Coco.
Feb 19, 2004 06:40 am i sang at a gig last night through a sm57...pop-*tastic. had to distance myself away from the mic enough so that it wouldnt pick up my tuts and pops, but whilst balencing it out in the monitors.
taking my own mic next time - a pop shield'd look stoopid on stage i figure
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